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Rabies Map 2013

In 2013, a total of 34 rabid bats
were found in Los Angeles County. This
total includes one bat found in the city of Pasadena
(which tracks its own rabid bats). It was the third year
in a row we detected an above-average amount. During
most years, we find between 8 to 12 rabid bats per year.

Most bats in nature do NOT have rabies.
Read more about it in the lower right section of this
page.

Below is a list of the incidents in which
rabid bats were found:

1. Los Angeles. March. Sick bat on
sidewalk. Sniffed, but not touched, by two leashed dogs.

2. Lancaster. March. Bat flew
around outside home in daylight, settled onto the side
of a house.

28. Canyon Country.
August. Bat found dead on a back patio. Cat may have
played with it, placed under 30-day home quarantine.

29. Woodland Hills.
August. Bat found alive in a driveway, hissed when
approached.

30. Agoura Hills.
August. Bat found alive in a garage, sitting on chair.
Cat may have come into contact with it.

31. Tarzana. September.
Bat found alive at a home.

32. West Hollywood.
September. Bat found in backyard and picked up by puppy.

33. Santa Clarita.
October. Bat seen hanging from eave of home, and later
lying on ground.

34. Newhall. October.
Bat found alive inside a home.

Lasted edited 3.13.14

BATS AND RABIES
Bats are the animals that most commonly carry rabies in
our county. However, only about 1% of bats in nature are
infected with rabies. Most bats are not rabid, and they
try to avoid contact with people and pets. Bats are good
for the environment because they eat insects and
pollinate plants. Bats are also protected by law.

However, bats seen flying in daylight, or found on the
ground, are more likely to have rabies. Never touch a
bat or other wild animal. If you pick up a bat with your
bare hands, you may be bitten and exposed to rabies.

Bats that bite a person or pet should
be tested for rabies. The bite mark from a bat can be
very small and hard to see. Bats that are found indoors
near a sleeping person, young child, adult that cannot
speak, or pet should also be tested for rabies.
In these cases, try to gently trap the bat without
touching it (such as covering it with a bucket), and
call your local animal control agency. To see a list of
local animal control agencies,
click here. You should also
talk to your doctor and/or veterinarian in these
situations.

In 2012, a total of 56 rabid bats were
found. This was the largest number of rabid bats
detected in a single year since LA County began testing
bats for rabies in the early 1960s. In most years, 8-12
rabid bats are discovered. The reason for the increase
is unknown. Click here to see the 2012 map.

To see a map of all rabid bats found
in Los Angeles County from 2000 through 2011. click here.